System and method for sealing an incisional wound

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for treating an incisional wound having incisional walls. The apparatus includes a conduit having a first end for receiving reduced pressure and a second end. The apparatus further includes a scaffold. The scaffold has opposing surfaces for positioning adjacent the incisional walls and is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit for receiving the reduced pressure. The scaffold is generally elongated in shape and has a thickness between the opposing surfaces that is sufficiently thin for positioning within the incisional wound. The apparatus further includes an internal manifold that has a primary flow channel extending generally longitudinally within the scaffold and between the opposing surfaces of the scaffold. The internal manifold is fluidly coupled to the second end of the conduit. The application of the reduced pressure through the scaffold and the internal manifold induces tissue apposition between the incisional walls.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus to treat an incisional wound having incisional walls, the apparatus comprising:
 a scaffold comprising a bioresorbable material configured to be positioned within the incisional wound and to support protein adhesion and cellular in-growth; 
 an internal manifold having a primary flow channel configured to extend within the scaffold to fluidly couple to a reduced pressure source; 
 an external manifold in fluid communication with a portion of the scaffold; and 
 a drape formed of substantially impermeable material to cover the external manifold and the scaffold within the incisional wound. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal manifold further comprises one or more tributary flow channels fluidly coupled to the primary flow channel and extending generally transversely within the scaffold. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more tributary flow channels extend generally perpendicular from the primary flow channel. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more tributary flow channels originate from a single location of the primary flow channel. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flow channel is an anisotropic property of the scaffold. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flow channel is formed by bioresorbable tubing. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the primary flow channel is formed by an alignment of one or more interconnected pores of the scaffold. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the scaffold is less than about 3.0 mm. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the scaffold is greater than about 0.25 mm. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a length to the thickness of the scaffold is greater than about 10. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the external manifold is configured to be positioned outside the incisional wound. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is formed from polylactide-co-glycolide. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the scaffold is formed from resorbable polyurethane. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the scaffold is formed from decellularized biological material. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is formed from collagen. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is a reticulated structure. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit for fluidly coupling to the primary flow channel. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a reduced pressure source fluidly coupled to the conduit. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus to treat an incisional wound having incisional walls, the apparatus comprising:
 a scaffold configured to be positioned adjacent the incisional walls; and 
 an internal manifold having a primary flow channel configured to extend within the scaffold to fluidly couple to a reduced pressure source, wherein the primary flow channel is formed by bioresorbable tubing.